Google Apps

SetAsr

Hello, everyone! I need a quick answer to my question. Why use other unfinished apps when you can use Google apps with permissions disabled?

nologo

Not sure which "unfinished apps" you are referring to, but there are lots of reasons people may want to use alternatives to Google apps. People may want to steer away from Google for ideological/political reasons, and/or for privacy reasons. And/or may want to support FOSS (free and open source software) as a matter of principle, or for more technical reasons (reviewing or even building upon the source code). Not wanting to use Google Play Services, on which many Google apps depend, may also be a factor. And sometimes the alternatives may simply be better suited to the user's needs or preferences. Often it is also about the user wanting to have control, instead of doing everything the way Google wants them to do stuff. But not wanting to support 'big tech' and Google's extremely privacy invasive data hoarding practices are probably the main reasons.

EverettHitch

nologo well summed up.

Also how does one assume Google apps are finished, compared to what? Security and privacy are moving targets.

SetAsr

Maybe I wasn't clear. I wanted to know if it would be safe to use Google apps if I disabled all of their permissions.

Johnnyloans

SetAsr

Yep, keep in mind that some apps might be programmed to talk to google play services. GPS having network or other permissions could affect things.

EverettHitch

SetAsr if you're going to disable most of their permissions they're likely going to complain thay can't run the way they're supposed to. If you want to obtain these apps the recommended way, i. e. via Play store, be prepared they're going to chatter even without network permission through Play services and shared libraries. If you're happy with that, nothing stops you from using them.

SetAsr

I disabled all permissions, including internet access, and everything worked fine. However, since these are Google apps, I was worried that this still wasn't very safe. The problem is that most alternative apps either have fewer features or are simply less convenient for me.

userofgos

SetAsr However, since these are Google apps, I was worried that this still wasn't very safe.

What do you mean by safe? What are you hoping to avoid/prevent/protect from?

SetAsr

userofgos
I'm paranoid, but I'm concerned about the possibility of any information about my activities being leaked. That's why I try to minimize the amount of information companies have about me. However, according to my logic, without access to the Internet, no data can leak, right?

userofgos

SetAsr I'm concerned about the possibility of any information about my activities being leaked.

Could you be more specific? Are you worried about your activities you on the Google apps? What Google apps in particular? Around using Sandboxed Google Play Services, is it signed in, does it have the network permission? Are you using any Google apps signed into your Google account? In Settings > Passwords, passkeys & accounts are you signed into a Google account, cause if you are you might want to sign out.

See here: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/10918-google-account-not-linked-across-google-apps

Or is your concern about the Google apps leaking information about you from other apps/activities?

SetAsr However, according to my logic, without access to the Internet, no data can leak, right?

Not exactly. There's still IPC (inter profile communication) to think about which, if two or more apps agree to communicate with each other, they can share different information (even without internet permission). Though my knowledge on IPC is limited, so other's might know more detail.

Here's a thread related to IPC: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/1549-more-questions-about-ipc

Off-topic, but related to concerns about what data apps have access too and what kinds of fingerprinting apps can do: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/17118-identifiers-across-private-space-and-profiles/4

SetAsr

userofgos
I use almost all Google apps: keyboard, gallery, camera, calendar, and others. I like these apps, but if they can collect data about me in any way, no matter what kind, I will replace them with other apps. I also used Fossify, but I don't really like their interface.

I also use Google apps for calls and messages. Is that safe?